Centre Island
Lighthouse overview
Centre Island (Raratoko) Lighthouse is a small island in Foveaux Strait off the Coast of Stewart Island (Rakiura). Work on Centre Island (Raratoko) Lighthouse began in 1877 and the light was first lit in 1878. Kauri timber was brought from the mainland to construct the tower.
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Lighthouse feature: |
Details |
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Location: |
latitude 46°28’ south, longitude 176°51’ east |
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Elevation: |
81 metres above sea level |
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Construction: |
wooden tower |
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Tower height: |
12 metres |
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Light configuration |
24-volt flashing LED beacon |
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Light flash character: |
white light with red sector flashing once every 15 seconds |
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Power source: |
batteries charged by solar panels |
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Range: |
19 nautical miles (35 kilometres) |
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Date light first lit: |
1878 |
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Automated: |
1987 |
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Demanned: |
1987 |
History of Centre Island (Raratoko) Lighthouse
Work began on the Centre Island (Raratoko) Lighthouse in 1877, and the light was first lit in 1878. Kauri timber was brought across from the mainland to build the tower.
Operation of the light
The light was first powered by colza oil and later changed to paraffin to make it brighter. In 1955, it was converted from oil to diesel‑generated electricity.
Because of the dangerous rocks around Centre Island (Raratoko), the light includes red sectors to mark areas to avoid.
Centre Island (Raratoko) Lighthouse was automated in 1987, and the last keeper left the station that year.
In the 1990s, Maritime NZ removed the original light and associated equipment and installed a modern beacon illuminated by a 50-watt tungsten halogen bulb. Battery banks charged by solar panels power the new light.
In 2025, the light was upgraded to an LED flashing beacon with a 24-volt power system.
Life at Centre Island (Raratoko) Lighthouse
Keepers were responsible for general maintenance of the tower and their own houses, as well as tending the light. They also needed to provide most of their own food and were largely self‑sufficient.
Fishing trips were fitted around other duties. Fishing in Foveaux Strait was hazardous. In 1943, two keepers drowned on a fishing trip from the lighthouse.
Centre Island (Raratoko) keepers had problems with their housing from as early as 1888. In the historical letter books, the principal keeper wrote:
“The first assistant’s house has flooded in every room, clothing, bedding etc. all wet. This house has always leaked in stormy weather and we have several times endeavoured to stop the leaky places, but without much success.”
In the early days, stores were carried up to the lighthouse by bull or donkey. Later a horse and sled were used, then a tractor. An airstrip was built on the island in the 1950s.
The lighthouse was originally home to three keepers and their families. In the mid-1950s when diesel-generated electricity was introduced, staffing was reduced to two keepers. By 1977, only one keeper was stationed at the lighthouse. Supplies were flown in fortnightly.
Centre Island (Raratoko) Lighthouse remained a one keeper station until the light was automated in 1987.